Short Period + Sickness

[into-amystika.livejournal.com]

This'll probably end up being long, but if you could help me out I'd really appreciate it.

So, my last period was short. Very short. My periods are consistantly 6 days of bleeding, 1 day of spotting. This one was 2 days, 1 1/2 days of spotting. For my last 3 periods I've been using Instead instead of tampons. I've heard people say using a Diva shortens their periods. Is the same true of Instead, and if so, why would it cause your period to be shorter?

Normally I wouldn't even dwell on the fact that my period was short, but on Friday, which would have been my last day of my period had it been normal, I got sick at work. I work as a presenter at McDonalds (handing people their food in drive-thru), so I'm on my feet a lot. Normally not a problem, but on Friday my feet and back suddenly started aching unusually bad after only being at work for 4 hours (of a 9 hour shift). About 20 minutes later I felt like I wasn't getting enough air, so I took a deep breath and my stomach suddenly got nausiated. Then I got light headed and started sweating profusely. I tried to keep working and ignore it (I just started working and I like my job, so I didn't want to do anything to risk it), but it got too bad. By the time I said anything I'd already gotten tunnel vision. I got someone to cover for me, and ran to the back room before collapsing in a chair -- with my head laid on another chair so it was even with my knees -- and blacking out. I ended up being back there for about 15 minutes before feeling somewhat better. I drank a cup of water and went back to work. About 20 minutes later it hit again, so I asked the manager if they could spare me, since I wasn't going to be able to work without being sick. Fortuantly they had someone to cover for me. I tried clocking out, but couldn't remember how to work the register, my id number, or anything, and ended up standing with my head on the counter for about 5 minutes to keep from fainting. I finally managed to clock out, then went in the back room for about 20 minutes before feeling well enough to drive home. Managed to make it home in one piece (though even the slightest bit of light made my head throb), fell into bed, and spent the rest of the day there with a migrane from hell, queezyness, and lightheadedness.

In addition to the short period, I've also been getting migranes and dizzy when I get tired. Now, normally I wouldn't ask here, since it doesn't seem to relate to vaginal health, but I was wondering if there could be a corrilation between my extremely short period, and this? Could an iron defficiancy have caused it, or was it maybe exhaustion, or something else? Fortunately I don't go back to work till Tuesday, so I have time to recover (I still feel headachy and lightheaded). I'd really appreciate any ideas of what could have caused this (oh, and I can't go to the doctor as it is, since I have no insurance and haven't been paid yet). Thanks.

EDIT: I also know that last time I donated blood my iron levels were at 38%. The cut off for donation is 37%. I went through with the donation and ended up feeling much like I did this Friday. I also have really low blood pressure. I don't know if these may factor in, but just thought I'd toss them out there.

Comments

[caletara.livejournal.com]

I'm really interested in the responses. I had this just a few days ago! My period was really short, I was nausus the first day, and then I nearly fainted at work. I got the tunnel vision and everything.

[into-amystika.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm also very interested since the same thing has happened to my girlfriend twice before while she was at work. It's not fun, I hope you feel better.

[laurensellscorn.livejournal.com]

Hmm.. last I checked, the risk of TSS isn't very pronounced for Insteads, but they still warn about it, and I know they advise the same for diaphragms. And if you did have TSS, from the descriptions I've heard, you wouldn't be recovering easily.

Is it possible the cups were pressing against your cervix weird? I've read several accounts here from people who feel weirdly crampy/light-headed/nauseous for cervix-touchage.. did switching to another method help your symptoms any?

Either way, I feel for you! I'm in food service too, so being nauseous around food is just spelling disaster.

[into-amystika.livejournal.com]

I wasn't on my period the day I got sick, it would have been my last day on, had my period been normal. I ended about 3 days earlier though, so no cervix-touching. And I'm pretty much good as new now, so I think if it were TSS, I'd still be miserable, but I'm not an expert on it...

[laurensellscorn.livejournal.com]

My mistake; I need to learn to read better! :)

I'm out of ideas then, unfortunately; I'm sorry that getting medical care is such a trial. Lord knows I've been there!

[into-amystika.livejournal.com]

S'ok, was a good suggestion if I'd had one in, since I do get nautious when something touches my cervix. :-)

[into-amystika.livejournal.com]

Planned Parenthood is all we have around here, and I'm not sure if they deal in this kind of stuff. And even if they do, all I have is $20 until I get paid, and I doubt that would cover even part of it. I know when I was younger I used to get this from time to time, but this is the first time I've gotten it for quite a whole, and since it's coupled with a short period, I was wondering if it may be related to that...

[into-amystika.livejournal.com]

Fortunately I've never had it happen when I'm sitting down (with the exception of donating blood, of course I usually don't lose a pint of blood suddenly without warning either ;-) ), it just seems to be when I'm standing, and even then it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to take full effect, so if it did ever happen while driving, I'd have time to pull over (thank god). I have a feeling it probably is anemia, considering I tested borderline last time I donated. Anyways, thanks for the help, I'm planning on getting checked out as soon as I can afford it. :-)

[starzysky.livejournal.com]

I'm sure they do "deal with this kind of stuff" - you can always call and ask, too. They are staffed with licensed doctors & nurses... I'm sure they can handle it.

[kitty254781.livejournal.com]

If you live in the U.S. you can apply for medicare at your local Department of social services. It's low to no cost health insurance for those who don't have a lot of income. you should check it out. it'll help. I have it for myself and my son, it takes the burden off me in the question how will i pay for my doctor visits and his. don't be ashamed to look into it. hope this helps

[tyrsalvia.livejournal.com]

Two ideas:

1. Vitamins? I realize you're low on cash and this can be expensive, but maybe you should start taking a women's formula once a day multivitamin? It sounds like this might be a good plan.

2. You might want to crosspost this to womenhealth, they might have some other suggestions for you to consider.

[majellen.livejournal.com]

Low iron and dizziness, faintness, blacking out, etc. can be serious signs of anemia. You may want to see your GP and have your blood tested. And yes, it would definitely mess with your period too. Kind of a "Hey, we can't lose blood right now!" kind of thing.

[majellen.livejournal.com]

Oh, and anemia can cause all sorts of bad things if it goes too far...like heart failure. So yes, please look into getting Medicaid or Access and get thee to a doctor!

[katydidnt98.livejournal.com]

Probably anemia, but there's no way to know for sure. If you can't get to the doctor and you don't feel that it's an emergency, then wait it out, get plenty of fluids, and make sure you're getting enough iron. It doesn't have to be an expensive one, and most grocery stores and chain stores with pharmacies like Walgreens' and Wal-Mart sell generics or "store brands."

Even if it is anemia, there are many possible causes, and not consuming enough iron is only one of them. It's the most common, though, and generally easy to correct, so if you're not in immediate need of medical help, it would be a good first thing to try.

Also, check your blood pressure. My worst dizzy spell ever, which took about 2 days to fully recover from, was brought on by ridiculously low blood pressure. The high number was in the 70s - I was underweight and significantly dehydrated at the time, but even at a normal or slightly high weight, my blood pressure is low. I have to make sure to drink enough fluids, a mix of water and juice/soda/sports drinks/etc. because even mild dehydration makes me dizzy.